Modern Slavery Policy

Modern Slavery Policy – Blake Office Supplies Ltd

1. Introduction

Blake Office Supplies Ltd is committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking within our operations and throughout our supply chain. As a supplier of office equipment, we recognise our responsibility to ensure that the products we purchase and distribute are sourced ethically and free from exploitation.

This policy outlines the steps we take to identify, mitigate, and eliminate risks of modern slavery across our business.

2. Our Commitment

• Conducting business ethically and with integrity.
• Ensuring modern slavery has no place in our operations or supply chain.
• Maintaining transparency with suppliers, customers, and stakeholders.
• Continuously improving our policies, processes, and oversight.

3. Our Business and Supply Chain

Blake Office Supplies Ltd supplies a wide range of office equipment, including:

• Office furniture
• IT hardware and accessories
• Stationery and consumables
• Print solutions
• Ergonomic products

Our supply chain includes both UK-based and international manufacturers, wholesalers, and logistics partners. We acknowledge that the greatest modern-slavery risks can exist in manufacturing environments, raw material supply chains, and low-skilled labour sectors.

4. Risk Assessment

We carry out assessments to identify potential risks of modern slavery in:

• Suppliers operating in higher-risk countries or sectors.
• Manufacturing processes involving complex or multi-tier supply chains.
• Logistics, warehousing, or third-party labour providers.
• Any subcontracted or temporary labour.

These risks are monitored through supplier assessments, questionnaires, and ongoing review processes.

5. Due Diligence

• Requiring all new suppliers to complete modern-slavery and ethical-sourcing assessments.
• Prioritising suppliers that hold recognised ethical certifications or standards.
• Including ethical compliance and modern slavery clauses in supplier agreements.
• Conducting annual reviews for higher-risk suppliers.

6. Training and Awareness

We provide training and guidance for staff involved in procurement, supplier management, warehousing, and logistics so they can:

• Understand the signs of modern slavery.
• Identify higher-risk suppliers, sectors, and regions.
• Follow correct reporting procedures.

Our on-site teams also receive awareness briefings focused on recognising risk indicators and escalating concerns appropriately.

7. Reporting Concerns

Blake Office Supplies Ltd encourages employees, suppliers, and partners to report any concerns relating to modern slavery. Reports may be made confidentially to:

• Line managers
• Senior leadership
• A designated compliance or ethics contact (where relevant)

All reports are taken seriously and investigated promptly.

8. Supplier and Worker Engagement

We are committed to working collaboratively with suppliers to:

• Improve working conditions.
• Support fair treatment and safe labour practices.
• Ensure subcontracting is transparent and responsibly managed.

We aim to foster an environment where workers both within our organisation and across our supply chain feel empowered to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.

9. Continuous Improvement

• Regular policy and procedure reviews.
• Updating practices based on risk trends and industry best practice.
• Ongoing supplier engagement to improve ethical standards.
• Annual evaluation of progress and areas for development.

10. Additional Ethical Labour Standards

• Adherence to all local and national laws, including labour, employment and human rights regulations.
• Freedom of workers to terminate employment in accordance with legal and contractual requirements.
• Freedom of movement, ensuring workers are never restricted or controlled through coercive practices.
• Freedom of association, including the right to join or form trade unions and participate in collective bargaining.
• Zero tolerance for threats, violence, harassment or intimidation toward any worker.
• Prohibition of worker-paid recruitment fees.
• Prohibition of compulsory overtime.
• Prohibition of child labour in accordance with international standards.
• Prohibition of discrimination based on any protected characteristic.
• Prohibition of confiscating workers’ identification documents.
• Commitment to providing access to remedy, compensation and justice for victims of modern slavery.

11. Policy Review and Approval

This policy is reviewed annually or sooner if required by legislation or best practice.

Approved by:
Mr Nick Lazenby – Managing Director
Blake Office Supplies Ltd
Date: 02/05/2025